University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) - Research portal
Gewählte Master / Diploma Thesis:
Janine Oettel
(2012):
Forest Fires and Fuel Characteristics of Tyrol
Including Case Studies.
Master / Diploma Thesis - Institut für Waldbau (WALDBAU),
BOKU-Universität für Bodenkultur,
pp 95.
UB BOKU
obvsg
- Abstract:
- Tyrol is one of the provinces of Austria with a frequent fire occurrence. On the base of past records from the federal forest ministry and the wildfire database of the Institute of Silviculture an analysis of forest fires in Tyrol was carried out for the period 1990 - 2010. The majority of fires are documented with a size of more or less 1 ha and ignited due to human causes (74%). Only 20% of forest fires in Tyrol ignited by lightning. Spring and summer are the main fire seasons in Tyrol. Norway spruce (39%) and Pine forests (25.8%) are mainly affected by fires. The major part of fires ignited at south facing slopes (52%). North facing exposures made up the second largest group (29%). For the same study period a cluster analysis was conducted including 128 forest fires. On the basis of 8 parameters, namely cause of ignition, size of burned area, seasonality, altitude, slope aspect, forest type, Fire Weather Indexes (FFMC, BUI, CFWI) the cluster analysis has been done. SPSS software was used and Ward’s Method applied for classification, finally obtaining 6 clusters. The clusters contain 8 to 39 cases. In conclusion one cluster represents natural caused fires, all others were caused by anthropogenic reasons. Further classification of human caused fires was carried out on the basis of the danger level of the FFMC. Fires with medium to high FFMC are distinguished according to the area burned and the ones with missing input data for the calculation of FFMC were further classified per seasonality. For each of the clusters one case study has been documented. Information about location, meteorology, fire behaviour and operations as well as ecology and economy of the event were collected by means of face-to-face interviews with local foresters and fire brigades. Not only fire weather indexes but also location and fuel availability influence fire behaviour and thus fighting operations. However, cooperation between fire brigades and forest authority is very important in the case of a fire event, in order to screen the emergency situation as fast and precise as possible and to start effective fire fighting operations.
- Beurteilende(r): Vacik Harald
- 1.Mitwirkender: Arpaci Alexander